Jeter '100 percent healed' and set to return

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has declared himself ready to play now that his broken left ankle is "100 percent healed."

"We move forward," Jeter said Friday at the Yankees' spring-training complex in Tampa, Fla., after he batted against left-hander Andy Pettitte in a simulated game.

The next step is to play a spring-training game. Manager Joe Girardi has said Jeter would start as a designed hitter and likely be limited to two at-bats initially.

"As soon as I can play, I will play," Jeter said.

His first action could come this weekend or Monday.

The 38-year-old Jeter suffered a dislocated ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship series in October. After he underwent surgery, the ankle was immobilized for much of the offseason.

On Thursday, he had a checkup that confirmed the ankle is fully healed.

"It is always reassuring to have someone say that something that was broke is not broken anymore," Jeter said. "Now, it is just getting through the normal aches and pains that come around it. As long as you know a break has healed, the aches and pains go away in time."